SAN DIEGO — The future of California golf was on full display this week as the 2026 CIF San Diego Section Championships wrapped up Wednesday. Spanning 36 holes across two of the area's most challenging courses, Pala Mesa Resort on Monday and Torrey Pines' North Course on Wednesday, the tournament solidified San Diego's reputation as an epicenter for elite junior golf.
Since the end of this summer, girls across San Diego County have been competing in matches and refining their skills, all with the hopes of securing their spot within the top 108 individuals in the section. After months of preparation, the highly anticipated tournament arrived early Monday morning at Pala Mesa Golf Resort in Fallbrook, Calif. With tee times beginning as early as 7:30 a.m., golfers began arriving at the course at 6:30 a.m., taking advantage of the early hours to warm up and prepare for the first of two competitive rounds.
Day one of the tournament proved challenging. With thick rough, windy conditions, and a narrow course layout, the tournament left many of the top players fighting for a chance at day two. However, after an action-packed day, scores were finalized, and the top half of the field was left with an opportunity for redemption on Wednesday at the breathtaking Torrey Pines North Course
Over the course of the two days, many players struggled given the forceful conditions and pressure of the competition, yet a select few remained unbothered.
The headline of the tournament belonged to The Bishop's School junior Jennifer Yang, who sailed her way to a two-shot victory, claiming the overall individual title. After a bold 4-under-par round on the first day, Yang left herself with a two-shot lead going into the final round. Remaining consistent under pressure, Yang fired another 4-under-par round to pull away from Torrey Pines' Sydney Kroc, who finished at an impressive 6 under par. Behind them, Rancho Bernardo's Amanda Peng and Bishop's Emma Wang tied for third place at 1 under, rounding out the only players in the field to finish under par.
While Yang set the pace for the individual crown, the team leaderboard was a familiar story, with local powerhouses standing out among the rest.
In Division I, Torrey Pines High School proved once again that its girls golf program is a force. The Falcons came out on top, securing their seventh consecutive Division I section title. At 25 over par as a squad, Torrey Pines had its talent on full display, leaving runner-up Canyon Crest Academy 53 strokes behind.
Meanwhile, in Division II (where divisions in golf are determined based on the school’s size), The Bishop's School finished at the top of its leaderboard. With four of its six starters finishing among the top 15 individuals, the Knights successfully repeated as Division II San Diego Section champions at 23 over par, a staggering 131 strokes ahead of second-place Our Lady of Peace. In a twist, Bishop's combined team score even edged out Division I champion Torrey Pines by two shots over the two-day event.
While the tournament has concluded, the road doesn't end here for San Diego's best. The full rosters of both Torrey Pines and The Bishop's School, along with the top 12 individual qualifiers, will now head to Chino Hills for the next big stage. Taking place at Los Serranos Golf Course, the SCGA Southern Regional Final will give these golfers the opportunity to represent the San Diego Section. The upcoming tournament will also determine which competitors advance to the California State Championship.
